Chapter 36: Friends with Benefits.

She shouldn't have reacted that way. She should've listened to him.
Bushra paced back and forth in her room. It has been four weeks since they had last spoken about their status in her office. He just left her room now, trying to find a way and fix things but she just shut him out.
She missed him—so much. But she just shoved him out without even having a second thought. Maybe she should follow him.
No!
Maybe she should wait for another four weeks and he'd come back begging her again. Then, she'd listen to him and make amends.
No!
They only have six months left. If she waited, they'd only have five months and she wasn't sure if he'd even come back again. He looked really pissed when he left her room now.
Maybe he hates her more than he did before.
For Mahir to come begging her was something that might happen once in a blue moon. But it happened so more than once, twice or thrice.
Why?
She picked up her phone that was on the dressing mirror and FaceTimed Yasmin. She promised to keep her marital affairs undisclosed but just this once, she needed someone's help.
'Adda Bushra," Yasmin exclaimed the moment Bushra came to view. 'Hey Yasmin, how are you and everyone?" She asked the question hurriedly, looking around as if afraid someone might hear her. Yasmin was taken aback. 'Hmm, Fine. What's wrong with you?" She asked her. She could sense the stiffness in Bushra's face.
'I have a serious question I'd like to ask, and I swear if you laugh…"
Before she could finish her sentence, Yasmin chuckled. Bushra glared at her and she hastily suppressed her laughter. 'What? You always say that when you're about to ask a weird question."
'I'm serious right now Yasmin," Bushra said with a hint of pressure in her tone. Yasmin nodded her head, ready to listen to her sister.
'How do… or what… uhmm…" Bushra never knew she'd feel embarrassed asking her younger sister that kind of question until she tried to speak it out. She should've called one of their aunties. No! Yasmin was the perfect person for her worry. If she called one of her aunties, they might end up scolding her for not knowing what to do when she upsets her husband.
'How do you work things out with your husband when he's mad at you, and you know it's your fault."
Yasmin halted for a moment, processing Bushra's question. 'It's simple; I don't usually apologize immediately because he might not listen me. Men are mostly that was. You give him time to cool off. Afterwards, you try to apologize and admit your mistakes. Maybe cook his favorites meal, do something you know he likes. Just anything to make him forgive you."
Bushra nodded, thinking of anything she knew Mahir liked. She didn't even know his favorite food. She knew whatever she cooked; he eats it. He was hard to be read; she knew few things about him. So, what could she possibly do to make him less angry with her?
Just like a tidal wave, it hits her.
'I have to go now, Yasmin. Thank you so much for the help and kisses from me to Adila." She ends the call and tosses the phone across her bed.
She hops into the shower and took her time to wash herself thoroughly, and pamper her skin before coming out.
Her heart wasn't at ease so was her whole being.
What she had in mind was insane but she didn't feel the need to stop or have a second thought about it. Her only fear was rejection, but she'll never know if she doesn't try. And she was willing to take risks even if he was going to shut the door on her face.
She wouldn't blame him if he did that—she deserves it. She had done it to him just an hour ago anyways. So, it wouldn't be a surprise if he sends her out of his room.
She stood in front of her drawer that had her undies in it and scanned through it. She hadn't even used most of it and Mahir still buys her more and more without her even asking for it. How he knew her size was forever mystery.
She picked out a peppered red silky gown with a length that hadn't reached her knees. The texture was soft and comfy. The bra part was made of net. Her face flushed and she felt a slight of awkwardness when she thought of wearing it.
She rubbed her whole body with her favorite oil perfumes before wearing the gown. It fits her so well. The edge of the gown had lace on it, exposing her fair and soft thighs. She tied her hair in a bun and applied a courteous amount of red lipstick. She checked herself on the mirror one last time before leaving to his room.
In front of his door, she contemplated. Could she go on with her plan? What would he think of her? She was trying to seduce him? Why would she ever throw herself to him that way?
Without having another thought, she turned the doorknob and walked in, closing the door behind her. She heaved a sigh, walking further into the room and scanning the whole room. He wasn't there but she could hear the running water from the bathroom. He must be taking a shower.
She settled down on his kind sized bed, her eyes still roaming around the room—as if it was her first time being in there. She could hear the wild beating of her heart but she ignored it. A voice in her was screaming to run out before he comes out—she wanted to listen to that voice. She wanted to run out before he comes out. She wanted to… but her limbs failed.
He saunters out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist as he used a small one to dry his hair. He walked further into the room just as the familiar scent hit his nostrils. He halted and removed the towel from blocking his view.
She was now standing before him, fiddling with her hand as she tried to speak up but the words failed to come out of her. He took in her appearance—he could swear his jaw dropped to the floor. He remembered the time he bought the night gown for her. It was on their first month of being married when he went shopping. He always hoped to see her in it—he never knew he would until tonight. It fits her too well.
'Can we talk?" She asked softly. It seemed like she was holding her breath while waiting to hear his answer. She looked so tensed and for some reasons, he's loving it. He looks at her chest—it was heaving up and down. He bit his lips, trying to restrain himself from erotically attacking her lips and body. The dress, the lipstick was making it so hard for him to.
He didn't say a word to her. He took his eyes off her and made his way to his dressing mirror. He settled down on the vanity stool and picked up his lotion to apply. She walked towards him and stood before him.
'I'm still going to say it even if you're not going to listen—even if you're going to kick me out. Whatever you do, I deserve it…" she said to him and he looked up. He stared at her for a moment, her eyes were glassy with water. It was like she was on the verge of tears. He shoulder-shrugged and went back to what he was doing. Deep inside of him, he wanted to have her in his arms, in his bed—impatiently kissing her and telling her how much he has missed her and how he always wanted to be with her.
She knelt to his height and grabbed his hands. 'I'm sorry, okay? I shouldn't have blamed you at the first place. I shouldn't have let my anger and ego get the best of me because you did nothing wrong. I brought up the idea of the contract, thinking it was a clever idea. And I shouldn't have accused you that way when you stated the fact of what exactly would happen if the year ends. We only have six months left and I don't care. Let's make the best of it, let's do whatever we want, let us stop worrying about the future and focus on the present."
He looks at lips to her eyes—her chest. His lips curved up—he was mischievous for staring at her chest at a grave moment.
'What do you want, then?" He asked her. It was confusing how she'd show her interest and then shove him away afterwards.
'Friends with benefits?" She bares it out more like a question. He smiled again. His pearl teeth were visible this time. He gently scooped her cheeks in his warm palms. He was firm and gentle as he pulled her in, burning her lips with his mouth. She instantly knotted her fingers in his hair, and melted against his body.
She breaths fast and hard, only able to take in shallow breaths, and he wraps his arms around her, feeling her go limp as he gently scooped her up to his bed.
What were they trying to do? Break a rule—maybe one more time.
Worry floods through him, and he cups her face again. Her lids were hooded and she seemed like she wasn't sure of what they were trying to do.
'Are we sure about this?" She breaths out, slightly pushing his away.
He stares at her for a moment—unsure if he also wanted it or not. His heart wanted to take her right now more than ever. But his brain was clouded with the possibilities.
'Are you?" He asked her.
It was a heated moment—he was eager to hear her answer not knowing she wanted him to make the first move.
Mahir did—he kissed her with his trembling mouth. Her heart felt like it was flying and the world seems to stop.
Slowly, he brought his lips down to her neck. His breath was hot as his kisses trailed down her neck. His hands held her back as she arched, begging for more. He called her name between kisses that were going up and down her neck.
In that split second before she could have a second thought, every nerve in her body and brain was electrified. It's the anticipation of being together in a way that's more than words, in a way that's so completely tangible.
**
She woke up to him kissing her. Slowly. All over.
For a second, he paused. 'I'm going to keep kissing you until wake up," he warned. With her eyes still closed, she smiled and told him, 'I guess you'll have to keep kissing me forever because I'm not waking up."
And without hesitation, he continued kissing her—As if the thought of forever didn't scare him at all. As if kissing her was all he wanted for the rest of his life.
And he kept kissing her. Slowly. All over.
She giggled knotting her fingers in his hair as he trailed kisses down her neck.
He paused and looked up at her. She looked at ease being in his arms, knowing they were on the same page.
'Do you want to meet my family?"
'I have met your family before," she said teasingly as she played with his soft hair.
'You know what I mean, Bushra. I am talking about the whole family of Dan-Musa," he elaborated. She gapes her eyes as her heart flipped. She had met few of his aunties and that was it. She had never thought of meeting his entire family. It never crossed her mind, knowing they only had a short amount of time.
'Do you want me to?" She asked him, staring into his eyes sincerely. Deep down she wanted to hear him say no—she wasn't ready. And she knew she'd never be ready to meet them. She somehow didn't care what his entire family would think of her but she was not ready to meet that large number of people at once. It was too much to handle.
'I want them to meet you. I want them to see how beautiful my wife is and also I want them to believe that I did get married because most of them still don't believe I am." He shook his head. Most of his relatives don't believe that he was married even after the pictures. He didn't know why.
Maybe because he had rejected every girl, they threw at him in the family and they believe that he'd never find someone to settle with.
Bushra nodded her head and asked, 'when do I meet them?"
'This weekend—there's a family gathering on Saturday and we're going… to Katsina."